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Ueda MT, Inamo J, Miya F, Shimada M, Yamaguchi K, Kochi Y. Functional and dynamic profiling of transcript isoforms reveals essential roles of alternative splicing in interferon response. CELL GENOMICS 2024:100654. [PMID: 39288763 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2024.100654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
Type I interferon (IFN-I) plays an important role in the innate immune response through inducing IFN-I-stimulated genes (ISGs). However, how alternative splicing (AS) events, especially over time, affect their function remains poorly understood. We generated an annotation (113,843 transcripts) for IFN-I-stimulated human B cells called isoISG using high-accuracy long-read sequencing data from PacBio Sequel II/IIe. Transcript isoform profiling using isoISG revealed that isoform switching occurred in the early response to IFN-I so that ISGs would gain functional domains (e.g., C4B) or higher protein production (e.g., IRF3). Conversely, isoforms lacking functional domains increased during the late phase of IFN-I response, mainly due to intron retention events. This suggests that isoform switching both triggers and terminates IFN-I responses at the translation and protein levels. Furthermore, genetic variants influencing the isoform ratio of ISGs were associated with immunological and infectious diseases. AS has essential roles in regulating innate immune response and associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahoko Takahashi Ueda
- Department of Genomic Function and Diversity, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Jun Inamo
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics, Center for Health Artificial Intelligence, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Fuyuki Miya
- Center for Medical Genetics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Mihoko Shimada
- National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
| | - Kensuke Yamaguchi
- Biomedical Engineering Research Innovation Center, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan; Laboratory for Autoimmune Diseases, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan; Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuta Kochi
- Department of Genomic Function and Diversity, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan; Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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2
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Karginov TA, Ménoret A, Leclair NK, Harrison AG, Chandiran K, Suarez-Ramirez JE, Yurieva M, Karlinsey K, Wang P, O'Neill RJ, Murphy PA, Adler AJ, Cauley LS, Anczuków O, Zhou B, Vella AT. Autoregulated splicing of TRA2β programs T cell fate in response to antigen-receptor stimulation. Science 2024; 385:eadj1979. [PMID: 39265028 DOI: 10.1126/science.adj1979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024]
Abstract
T cell receptor (TCR) sensitivity to peptide-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) dictates T cell fate. Canonical models of TCR sensitivity cannot be fully explained by transcriptional regulation. In this work, we identify a posttranscriptional regulatory mechanism of TCR sensitivity that guides alternative splicing of TCR signaling transcripts through an evolutionarily ultraconserved poison exon (PE) in the RNA-binding protein (RBP) TRA2β in mouse and human. TRA2β-PE splicing, seen during cancer and infection, was required for TCR-induced effector T cell expansion and function. Tra2β-PE skipping enhanced T cell response to antigen by increasing TCR sensitivity. As antigen levels decreased, Tra2β-PE reinclusion allowed T cell survival. Finally, we found that TRA2β-PE was first included in the genome of jawed vertebrates that were capable of TCR gene rearrangements. We propose that TRA2β-PE splicing acts as a gatekeeper of TCR sensitivity to shape T cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timofey A Karginov
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Antoine Ménoret
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Nathan K Leclair
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Andrew G Harrison
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Karthik Chandiran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Jenny E Suarez-Ramirez
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Marina Yurieva
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Keaton Karlinsey
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Penghua Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Rachel J O'Neill
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
- Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Patrick A Murphy
- Center for Vascular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Adam J Adler
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Linda S Cauley
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Olga Anczuków
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
- Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Beiyan Zhou
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
- Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Anthony T Vella
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
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Chen X, Wei H, Yue A, Zhang H, Zheng Y, Sun W, Zhou Y, Wang Y. KPNA2 promotes the progression of gastric cancer by regulating the alternative splicing of related genes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17140. [PMID: 39060340 PMCID: PMC11282077 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66678-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play critical roles in genome regulation. In this study, we explored the latent function of KPNA2, which is an essential member of the RBP family, in the regulation of alternative splicing (AS) in gastric cancer (GC). We analyzed the role of KPNA2 in regulating differential expression and AS via RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and improved RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (iRIP-seq). Clinical specimens were used to analyze the associations between KPNA2 expression and clinicopathological characteristics. CCK8 assays, transwell assays and wound healing assays were performed to explore the effect of KPNA2/WDR62 on GC cell progression. KPNA2 was shown to be highly expressed in GC cells and tissues and associated with lymph node metastases. KPNA2 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of GC cells and primarily regulated exon skipping, alternative 3's splice sites (A3SSs), alternative 5' splice sites (A5SSs), and cassette exons. We further revealed that KPNA2 participated in biological processes related to cell proliferation, and the immune response in GC via the regulation of transcription. In addition, KPNA2 preferentially bound to intron regions. Notably, KPNA2 regulated the A3SS AS mode of WDR62, and upregulation of WDR62 reversed the KPNA2 downregulation-induced inhibition of GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Finally, we discovered that the AS of immune-related molecules could be regulated by KPNA2. Overall, our results demonstrated for the first time that KPNA2 functions as an oncogenic splicing factor in GC that regulated the AS and differential expression of GC-related genes, and KPNA2 may be a potential target for GC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Chen
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Key Laboratory for Gastrointestinal Diseases of Gansu Province, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu Province, China
- Gansu Province Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Hui Wei
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Key Laboratory for Gastrointestinal Diseases of Gansu Province, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu Province, China
- Gansu Province Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Ailin Yue
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Key Laboratory for Gastrointestinal Diseases of Gansu Province, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu Province, China
- Gansu Province Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Huiyun Zhang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Key Laboratory for Gastrointestinal Diseases of Gansu Province, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu Province, China
- Gansu Province Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Ya Zheng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Key Laboratory for Gastrointestinal Diseases of Gansu Province, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu Province, China
- Gansu Province Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Weiming Sun
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yongning Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Key Laboratory for Gastrointestinal Diseases of Gansu Province, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu Province, China.
- Gansu Province Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
| | - Yuping Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Key Laboratory for Gastrointestinal Diseases of Gansu Province, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu Province, China.
- Gansu Province Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
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Gao SM, Qi Y, Zhang Q, Guan Y, Lee YT, Ding L, Wang L, Mohammed AS, Li H, Fu Y, Wang MC. Aging atlas reveals cell-type-specific effects of pro-longevity strategies. NATURE AGING 2024; 4:998-1013. [PMID: 38816550 PMCID: PMC11257944 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-024-00631-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Organismal aging involves functional declines in both somatic and reproductive tissues. Multiple strategies have been discovered to extend lifespan across species. However, how age-related molecular changes differ among various tissues and how those lifespan-extending strategies slow tissue aging in distinct manners remain unclear. Here we generated the transcriptomic Cell Atlas of Worm Aging (CAWA, http://mengwanglab.org/atlas ) of wild-type and long-lived strains. We discovered cell-specific, age-related molecular and functional signatures across all somatic and germ cell types. We developed transcriptomic aging clocks for different tissues and quantitatively determined how three different pro-longevity strategies slow tissue aging distinctively. Furthermore, through genome-wide profiling of alternative polyadenylation (APA) events in different tissues, we discovered cell-type-specific APA changes during aging and revealed how these changes are differentially affected by the pro-longevity strategies. Together, this study offers fundamental molecular insights into both somatic and reproductive aging and provides a valuable resource for in-depth understanding of the diversity of pro-longevity mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihong Max Gao
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yanyan Qi
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Qinghao Zhang
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Youchen Guan
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yi-Tang Lee
- Integrative Program of Molecular and Biochemical Science, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lang Ding
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA
- Graduate Program in Chemical, Physical & Structural Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lihua Wang
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA
| | - Aaron S Mohammed
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Hongjie Li
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Yusi Fu
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Meng C Wang
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA.
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5
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Blake D, Gazzara MR, Breuer I, Ferretti M, Lynch KW. Alternative 3'UTR expression induced by T cell activation is regulated in a temporal and signal dependent manner. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10987. [PMID: 38745101 PMCID: PMC11094061 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61951-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The length of 3' untranslated regions (3'UTR) is highly regulated during many transitions in cell state, including T cell activation, through the process of alternative polyadenylation (APA). However, the regulatory mechanisms and functional consequences of APA remain largely unexplored. Here we present a detailed analysis of the temporal and condition-specific regulation of APA following activation of primary human CD4+ T cells. We find that global APA changes are regulated temporally and CD28 costimulatory signals enhance a subset of these changes. Most APA changes upon T cell activation involve 3'UTR shortening, although a set of genes enriched for function in the mTOR pathway exhibit 3'UTR lengthening. While upregulation of the core polyadenylation machinery likely induces 3'UTR shortening following prolonged T cell stimulation; a significant program of APA changes occur prior to cellular proliferation or upregulation of the APA machinery. Motif analysis suggests that at least a subset of these early changes in APA are driven by upregulation of RBM3, an RNA-binding protein which competes with the APA machinery for binding. Together this work expands our understanding of the impact and mechanisms of APA in response to T cell activation and suggests new mechanisms by which APA may be regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davia Blake
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Immunology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Matthew R Gazzara
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Genomic and Computational Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Isabel Breuer
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Genetics and Epigenetics Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Max Ferretti
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Kristen W Lynch
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Immunology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Genomic and Computational Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Genetics and Epigenetics Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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6
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Miskin RP, DiPersio CM. Roles for epithelial integrin α3β1 in regulation of the microenvironment during normal and pathological tissue remodeling. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2024; 326:C1308-C1319. [PMID: 38497112 PMCID: PMC11371326 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00128.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Integrin receptors for the extracellular matrix activate intracellular signaling pathways that are critical for tissue development, homeostasis, and regeneration/repair, and their loss or dysregulation contributes to many developmental defects and tissue pathologies. This review will focus on tissue remodeling roles for integrin α3β1, a receptor for laminins found in the basement membranes (BMs) that underlie epithelial cell layers. As a paradigm, we will discuss literature that supports a role for α3β1 in promoting ability of epidermal keratinocytes to modify their tissue microenvironment during skin development, wound healing, or tumorigenesis. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that this role depends largely on ability of α3β1 to govern the keratinocyte's repertoire of secreted proteins, or the "secretome," including 1) matrix proteins and proteases involved in matrix remodeling and 2) paracrine-acting growth factors/cytokines that stimulate other cells with important tissue remodeling functions (e.g., endothelial cells, fibroblasts, inflammatory cells). Moreover, α3β1 signaling controls gene expression that helps epithelial cells carry out these functions, including genes that encode secreted matrix proteins, proteases, growth factors, or cytokines. We will review what is known about α3β1-dependent gene regulation through both transcription and posttranscriptional mRNA stability. Regarding the latter, we will discuss examples of α3β1-dependent alternative splicing (AS) or alternative polyadenylation (APA) that prevents inclusion of cis-acting mRNA sequences that would otherwise target the transcript for degradation via nonsense-mediated decay or destabilizing AU-rich elements (AREs) in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR). Finally, we will discuss prospects and anticipated challenges of exploiting α3β1 as a clinical target for the treatment of cancer or wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - C Michael DiPersio
- Department of Surgery, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, United States
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7
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Li Y, Gong J, Sun Q, Vong EG, Cheng X, Wang B, Yuan Y, Jin L, Gamazon ER, Zhou D, Lai M, Zhang D. Alternative polyadenylation quantitative trait methylation mapping in human cancers provides clues into the molecular mechanisms of APA. Am J Hum Genet 2024; 111:562-583. [PMID: 38367620 PMCID: PMC10940021 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2024.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic variants are involved in the orchestration of alternative polyadenylation (APA) events, while the role of DNA methylation in regulating APA remains unclear. We generated a comprehensive atlas of APA quantitative trait methylation sites (apaQTMs) across 21 different types of cancer (1,612 to 60,219 acting in cis and 4,448 to 142,349 in trans). Potential causal apaQTMs in non-cancer samples were also identified. Mechanistically, we observed a strong enrichment of cis-apaQTMs near polyadenylation sites (PASs) and both cis- and trans-apaQTMs in proximity to transcription factor (TF) binding regions. Through the integration of ChIP-signals and RNA-seq data from cell lines, we have identified several regulators of APA events, acting either directly or indirectly, implicating novel functions of some important genes, such as TCF7L2, which is known for its involvement in type 2 diabetes and cancers. Furthermore, we have identified a vast number of QTMs that share the same putative causal CpG sites with five different cancer types, underscoring the roles of QTMs, including apaQTMs, in the process of tumorigenesis. DNA methylation is extensively involved in the regulation of APA events in human cancers. In an attempt to elucidate the potential underlying molecular mechanisms of APA by DNA methylation, our study paves the way for subsequent experimental validations into the intricate biological functions of DNA methylation in APA regulation and the pathogenesis of human cancers. To present a comprehensive catalog of apaQTM patterns, we introduce the Pancan-apaQTM database, available at https://pancan-apaqtm-zju.shinyapps.io/pancanaQTM/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yige Li
- Department of Pathology, and Department of Medical Oncology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Department of Pathology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jingwen Gong
- Department of Pathology, and Department of Medical Oncology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Alibaba-Zhejiang University Joint Research Center of Future Digital Healthcare, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Qingrong Sun
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Alibaba-Zhejiang University Joint Research Center of Future Digital Healthcare, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, 1369 West Wenyi Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; College of Information Science and Technology, ZheJiang Shuren University, Hangzhou 310015, ZheJiang, China
| | - Eu Gene Vong
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiaoqing Cheng
- Department of Pathology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Binghong Wang
- Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Ying Yuan
- Department of Medical Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Chinese National Ministry of Education), the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Li Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Human Phenome Institute, Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Research Unit of Dissecting the Population Genetics and Developing New Technologies for Treatment and Prevention of Skin Phenotypes and Dermatological Diseases (2019RU058), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Eric R Gamazon
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Data Science Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Dan Zhou
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; School of Public Health and the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Maode Lai
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Alibaba-Zhejiang University Joint Research Center of Future Digital Healthcare, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Department of Pathology, Research Unit of Intelligence Classification of Tumor Pathology and Precision Therapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU042), Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Dandan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, and Department of Medical Oncology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Alibaba-Zhejiang University Joint Research Center of Future Digital Healthcare, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Department of Pathology, Research Unit of Intelligence Classification of Tumor Pathology and Precision Therapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU042), Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
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8
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Xu F, Liu S, Zhao A, Shang M, Wang Q, Jiang S, Cheng Q, Chen X, Zhai X, Zhang J, Wang X, Yan J. iFLAS: positive-unlabeled learning facilitates full-length transcriptome-based identification and functional exploration of alternatively spliced isoforms in maize. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 241:2606-2620. [PMID: 38291701 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The advent of full-length transcriptome sequencing technologies has accelerated the discovery of novel splicing isoforms. However, existing alternative splicing (AS) tools are either tailored for short-read RNA-Seq data or designed for human and animal studies. The disparities in AS patterns between plants and animals still pose a challenge to the reliable identification and functional exploration of novel isoforms in plants. Here, we developed integrated full-length alternative splicing analysis (iFLAS), a plant-optimized AS toolkit that introduced a semi-supervised machine learning method known as positive-unlabeled (PU) learning to accurately identify novel isoforms. iFLAS also enables the investigation of AS functions from various perspectives, such as differential AS, poly(A) tail length, and allele-specific AS (ASAS) analyses. By applying iFLAS to three full-length transcriptome sequencing datasets, we systematically identified and functionally characterized maize (Zea mays) AS patterns. We found intron retention not only introduces premature termination codons, resulting in lower expression levels of isoforms, but may also regulate the length of 3'UTR and poly(A) tail, thereby affecting the functional differentiation of isoforms. Moreover, we observed distinct ASAS patterns in two genes within heterosis offspring, highlighting their potential value in breeding. These results underscore the broad applicability of iFLAS in plant full-length transcriptome-based AS research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio-Breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Songyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio-Breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Anwen Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio-Breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Meiqi Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio-Breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Qian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio-Breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Shuqin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio-Breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Qian Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio-Breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Xingming Chen
- Molbreeding Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, 051430, China
| | - Xiaoguang Zhai
- Molbreeding Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, 051430, China
| | - Jianan Zhang
- Molbreeding Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, 051430, China
| | - Xiangfeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio-Breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Jun Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Maize Bio-Breeding, National Maize Improvement Center, Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100094, China
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Liu L, Seimiya T, Manley JL. WDR33 alternative polyadenylation is dependent on stochastic poly(a) site usage and splicing efficiencies. RNA Biol 2024; 21:25-35. [PMID: 39327832 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2024.2408708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 09/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcripts from the human WDR33 gene, which encodes a central component of the mRNA polyadenylation (PA) machinery, are subject to alternative polyadenylation (APA) within promoter-proximal introns/exons. This APA, which itself involves usage of multiple PA sites, results in the production of two non-canonical protein isoforms, V2 and V3, that are functionally completely unrelated to the full-length protein, with roles in innate immunity. The mechanism and regulation of WDR33 APA are unclear. Here, we report that levels of the PA factor CFIm25 modulate V2 and V3 expression, and that PA site usage of both V2 and V3 varies in distinct immune responses. Using newly developed assays to measure splicing and PA site strength, we show that splicing of V2-associated intron 6 is inefficient, allowing V2 to be produced using weak PA sites. Usage of V3's strong PA sites, on the other hand, is relatively low, reflecting the high efficiency of intron 7 splicing coupled with dependency on usage of an alternative 3' splice site within the intron. Overall, our findings demonstrate that usage of WDR33 alternative PA sites is stochastic, dependent on a complex interplay between splicing and PA, and thus provide new insights into mechanisms underlying APA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizhi Liu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Takahiro Seimiya
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - James L Manley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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10
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Deng H, Gao J, Cao B, Qiu Z, Li T, Zhao R, Li H, Wei B. LncRNA CCAT2 promotes malignant progression of metastatic gastric cancer through regulating CD44 alternative splicing. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2023; 46:1675-1690. [PMID: 37354353 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00835-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most malignant tumors worldwide. Thus, it is necessary to explore the underlying mechanisms of GC progression and develop novel therapeutic regimens. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to be abnormally expressed and regulate the malignant behaviors of cancer cells. Our previous research demonstrated that lncRNA colon cancer-associated transcript 2 (CCAT2) has potential value for GC diagnosis and discrimination. However, the functional mechanisms of lncRNA CCAT2 in GC development remain to be explored. METHODS GC and normal adjacent tissues were collected to detect the expression of lncRNA CCAT2, ESRP1 and CD44 in clinical specimens and their clinical significance for GC patients. Cell counting kit-8, wound healing and transwell assays were conducted to investigate the malignant behaviors in vitro. The generation of nude mouse xenografts by subcutaneous, intraperitoneal and tail vein injection was performed to examine GC growth and metastasis in vivo. Co-immunoprecipitation, RNA-binding protein pull-down assay and fluorescence in situ hybridization were performed to reveal the binding relationships between ESRP1 and CD44. RESULTS In the present study, lncRNA CCAT2 was overexpressed in GC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues and correlated with short survival time of patients. lncRNA CCAT2 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of GC cells. Its overexpression modulates alternative splicing of Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) variants and facilitates the conversion from the standard form to variable CD44 isoform 6 (CD44v6). Mechanistically, lncRNA CCAT2 upregulated CD44v6 expression by binding to epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1), which subsequently mediates CD44 alternative splicing. The oncogenic role of the lncRNA CCAT2/ESRP1/CD44 axis in the promotion of malignant behaviors was verified by both in vivo and in vitro experiments. CONCLUSIONS Our findings identified a novel mechanism by which lncRNA CCAT2, as a type of protein-binding RNA, regulates alternative splicing of CD44 and promotes GC progression. This axis may become an effective target for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Deng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
- Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Rd, Beijing, 100853, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Jingwang Gao
- Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Rd, Beijing, 100853, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Bo Cao
- Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Rd, Beijing, 100853, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Ziyu Qiu
- Health Service Department of the Guard Bureau of the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Tian Li
- School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710021, China
| | - Ruiyang Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Rd, Beijing, 100853, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Hanghang Li
- Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Rd, Beijing, 100853, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Bo Wei
- Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Rd, Beijing, 100853, China.
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China.
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11
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Zhu WS, Wheeler BD, Ansel KM. RNA circuits and RNA-binding proteins in T cells. Trends Immunol 2023; 44:792-806. [PMID: 37599172 PMCID: PMC10890840 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2023.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
RNA is integral to the regulatory circuits that control cell identity and behavior. Cis-regulatory elements in mRNAs interact with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that can alter RNA sequence, stability, and translation into protein. Similarly, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) scaffold ribonucleoprotein complexes that mediate transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Indeed, cell programming is fundamental to multicellular life and, in this era of cellular therapies, it is of particular interest in T cells. Here, we review key concepts and recent advances in our understanding of the RNA circuits and RBPs that govern mammalian T cell differentiation and immune function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wandi S Zhu
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Sandler Asthma Basic Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Benjamin D Wheeler
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Sandler Asthma Basic Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - K Mark Ansel
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Sandler Asthma Basic Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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12
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Haddad-Mashadrizeh A, Mirahmadi M, Taghavizadeh Yazdi ME, Gholampour-Faroji N, Bahrami A, Zomorodipour A, Moghadam Matin M, Qayoomian M, Saebnia N. Introns and Their Therapeutic Applications in Biomedical Researches. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY 2023; 21:e3316. [PMID: 38269198 PMCID: PMC10804063 DOI: 10.30498/ijb.2023.334488.3316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Context Although for a long time, it was thought that intervening sequences (introns) were junk DNA without any function, their critical roles and the underlying molecular mechanisms in genome regulation have only recently come to light. Introns not only carry information for splicing, but they also play many supportive roles in gene regulation at different levels. They are supposed to function as useful tools in various biological processes, particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Introns can contribute to numerous biological processes, including gene silencing, gene imprinting, transcription, mRNA metabolism, mRNA nuclear export, mRNA localization, mRNA surveillance, RNA editing, NMD, translation, protein stability, ribosome biogenesis, cell growth, embryonic development, apoptosis, molecular evolution, genome expansion, and proteome diversity through various mechanisms. Evidence Acquisition In order to fulfill the objectives of this study, the following databases were searched: Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCO, Open Access Journals, and Google Scholar. Only articles published in English were included. Results & Conclusions The intervening sequences of eukaryotic genes have critical functions in genome regulation, as well as in molecular evolution. Here, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of how introns influence genome regulation, as well as their effects on molecular evolution. Moreover, therapeutic strategies based on intron sequences are discussed. According to the obtained results, a thorough understanding of intron functional mechanisms could lead to new opportunities in disease diagnosis and therapies, as well as in biotechnology applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliakbar Haddad-Mashadrizeh
- Industrial Biotechnology Research Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahdi Mirahmadi
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Iranian Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Khorasan Razavi Branch, Mashhad, Iran
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Nazanin Gholampour-Faroji
- Industrial Biotechnology Research Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ahmadreza Bahrami
- Industrial Biotechnology Research Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Maryam Moghadam Matin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohsen Qayoomian
- Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Neda Saebnia
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
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13
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Feng Y, Zhu S, Liu T, Zhi G, Shao B, Liu J, Li B, Jiang C, Feng Q, Wu P, Wang D. Surmounting Cancer Drug Resistance: New Perspective on RNA-Binding Proteins. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1114. [PMID: 37631029 PMCID: PMC10458901 DOI: 10.3390/ph16081114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), being pivotal elements in both physiological and pathological processes, possess the ability to directly impact RNA, thereby exerting a profound influence on cellular life. Furthermore, the dysregulation of RBPs not only induces alterations in the expression levels of genes associated with cancer but also impairs the occurrence of post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. Consequently, these circumstances can give rise to aberrations in cellular processes, ultimately resulting in alterations within the proteome. An aberrant proteome can disrupt the equilibrium between oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, promoting cancer progression. Given their significant role in modulating gene expression and post-transcriptional regulation, directing therapeutic interventions towards RBPs represents a viable strategy for combating drug resistance in cancer treatment. RBPs possess significant potential as diagnostic and prognostic markers for diverse cancer types. Gaining comprehensive insights into the structure and functionality of RBPs, along with delving deeper into the molecular mechanisms underlying RBPs in tumor drug resistance, can enhance cancer treatment strategies and augment the prognostic outcomes for individuals afflicted with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Peijie Wu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (Y.F.); (S.Z.); (T.L.); (G.Z.); (B.S.); (J.L.); (B.L.); (C.J.); (Q.F.)
| | - Dong Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (Y.F.); (S.Z.); (T.L.); (G.Z.); (B.S.); (J.L.); (B.L.); (C.J.); (Q.F.)
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14
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Pang F, Yang P, Wang T, Li X, Wu X, Yue R, Bai B, Zhao Q. Comprehensive Analysis of Alternative Polyadenylation Events Associated with the Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Colon Adenocarcinoma. Curr Genomics 2023; 24:48-61. [PMID: 37920728 PMCID: PMC10334702 DOI: 10.2174/1389202924666230503122134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. Alternative polyadenylation (APA) is relevant to the variability of the 3'-UTR of mRNA. However, the posttranscriptional dysregulation of APA in COAD is poorly understood. Methods We collected APA data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) COAD (n =7692). APA events were evaluated using PDUI values, and the prognostically significant APA events were screened by LASSO Cox regression to construct a prognostic model. Then, prognostic model functions and possible regulatory genes of characteristic APA events were analyzed. Finally, the immune regulatory network based on APA regulatory genes was analyzed and established. Results A total of 95 APA events were found to influence the COAD outcomes. Among them, 39 genes were screened as characteristic prognostic APA events by LASSO Cox regression to construct a COAD prognostic signature. The analysis results suggested that a high signature score was associated with poor prognosis and was significantly correlated with a variety of immune cells, including NK and Th1, 2 and 17 cells. Further analysis showed that APA regulators mainly served roles in the prognosis of COAD. Based on the above results, we constructed an immunoregulatory network for APA regulatory genes-APA genes-immune cells. Conclusion Our study revealed that APA events in COAD may regulate tumor progression by influencing immune cells, which provides a new direction for exploring the influencing mechanism of the tumor immune microenvironment and is expected to provide a potential new target for COAD immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangning Pang
- Department of Surgery, Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital, Xi'an, China
- Institute of Health and Rehabilitation Science, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Peng Yang
- Institute of Health and Rehabilitation Science, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Tongfei Wang
- Department of Oncology, Xi’an No. 3 Hospital, Xi’an, China
| | - Xuzhao Li
- Department of Surgery, People's Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan, China
| | - Xiaoyong Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Danzhou People’s Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Danzhou, China
| | - Rong Yue
- Department of Emergency, Xi'an Daxing Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Bin Bai
- Department of Surgery, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Qingchuan Zhao
- Department of Surgery, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
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15
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Xu H, Lin S, Zhou Z, Li D, Zhang X, Yu M, Zhao R, Wang Y, Qian J, Li X, Li B, Wei C, Chen K, Yoshimura T, Wang JM, Huang J. New genetic and epigenetic insights into the chemokine system: the latest discoveries aiding progression toward precision medicine. Cell Mol Immunol 2023:10.1038/s41423-023-01032-x. [PMID: 37198402 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-023-01032-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past thirty years, the importance of chemokines and their seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) has been increasingly recognized. Chemokine interactions with receptors trigger signaling pathway activity to form a network fundamental to diverse immune processes, including host homeostasis and responses to disease. Genetic and nongenetic regulation of both the expression and structure of chemokines and receptors conveys chemokine functional heterogeneity. Imbalances and defects in the system contribute to the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases, including cancer, immune and inflammatory diseases, and metabolic and neurological disorders, which render the system a focus of studies aiming to discover therapies and important biomarkers. The integrated view of chemokine biology underpinning divergence and plasticity has provided insights into immune dysfunction in disease states, including, among others, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this review, by reporting the latest advances in chemokine biology and results from analyses of a plethora of sequencing-based datasets, we outline recent advances in the understanding of the genetic variations and nongenetic heterogeneity of chemokines and receptors and provide an updated view of their contribution to the pathophysiological network, focusing on chemokine-mediated inflammation and cancer. Clarification of the molecular basis of dynamic chemokine-receptor interactions will help advance the understanding of chemokine biology to achieve precision medicine application in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanli Xu
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Shuye Lin
- Cancer Research Center, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Institute, 101149, Beijing, China
| | - Ziyun Zhou
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Duoduo Li
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Xiting Zhang
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Muhan Yu
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Ruoyi Zhao
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Yiheng Wang
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Junru Qian
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Xinyi Li
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Bohan Li
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Chuhan Wei
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Keqiang Chen
- Laboratory of Cancer Innovation, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Teizo Yoshimura
- Laboratory of Cancer Innovation, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Ji Ming Wang
- Laboratory of Cancer Innovation, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Jiaqiang Huang
- College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, 3 ShangyuanCun, Haidian District, 100044, Beijing, P.R. China.
- Cancer Research Center, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Institute, 101149, Beijing, China.
- Laboratory of Cancer Innovation, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.
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16
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Huang K, Wu S, Yang X, Wang T, Liu X, Zhou X, Huang L. CAFuncAPA: a knowledgebase for systematic functional annotations of APA events in human cancers. NAR Cancer 2023; 5:zcad004. [PMID: 36694725 PMCID: PMC9869079 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcad004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative polyadenylation (APA) is a widespread posttranscriptional regulation process. APA generates diverse mRNA isoforms with different 3' UTR lengths, affecting mRNA expression, miRNA binding regulation and alternative splicing events. Previous studies have demonstrated the important roles of APA in tumorigenesis and cancer progression through diverse aspects. Thus, a comprehensive functional landscape of diverse APA events would aid in a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms related to APA in human cancers. Here, we built CAFuncAPA (https://relab.xidian.edu.cn/CAFuncAPA/) to systematically annotate the functions of 15478 APA events in human pan-cancers. Specifically, we first identified APA events associated with cancer survival and tumor progression. We annotated the potential downstream effects of APA on genes/isoforms expression, regulation of miRNAs, RNA binding proteins (RBPs) and alternative splicing events. Moreover, we also identified up-regulators of APA events, including the effects of genetic variants on poly(A) sites and RBPs, as well as the effect of methylation phenotypes on APA events. These findings suggested that CAFuncAPA can be a helpful resource for a better understanding of APA regulators and potential functions in cancer biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Huang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- West China Biomedical Big Data Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Sijia Wu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Xiaotong Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Tiangang Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Xi Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Xiaobo Zhou
- Center for Computational Systems Medicine, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Liyu Huang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
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Novel roles of RNA-binding proteins in drug resistance of breast cancer: from molecular biology to targeting therapeutics. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:52. [PMID: 36759501 PMCID: PMC9911762 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01352-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapy resistance remains a huge challenge for current breast cancer treatments. Exploring molecular mechanisms of therapy resistance might provide therapeutic targets for patients with advanced breast cancer and improve their prognosis. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play an important role in regulating therapy resistance. Here we summarize the functions of RBPs, highlight their tremendously important roles in regulating therapy sensitivity and resistance and we also reveal current therapeutic approaches reversing abnormal functions of RBPs in breast cancer.
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Recent insights into the role of Akt in CD4 T-cell activation and differentiation: alternative splicing and beyond. IMMUNOMETABOLISM (COBHAM (SURREY, ENGLAND)) 2023; 5:e00015. [PMID: 36710922 PMCID: PMC9869951 DOI: 10.1097/in9.0000000000000015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The activation and differentiation of CD4+ T cells is a complex process that is controlled by many factors. A critical component of the signaling pathway triggered following T-cell receptor (TCR) engagement is the serine threonine kinase Akt. Akt is involved in the control of many cellular processes including proliferation, metabolism, and differentiation of specific TH-cell subsets. Recent work has shown that, depending on the nature or strength of the TCR activation, Akt may activate different sets of substrates which then lead to differential cellular outcomes. Akt plays an important role in controlling the strength of the TCR signal and several recent studies have identified novel mechanisms including control of the expression of negative regulators of TCR signaling, and the influence on regulatory T cells (Treg) and TH17 differentiation. Many of these functions are mediated via control of the FoxO family of transcription factors, that play an important role in metabolism and Th cell differentiation. A theme that is emerging is that Akt does not function in the same way in all T-cell types. We highlight differences between CD4 and CD8 T cells as well as between Treg, TH17, and TFH cells. While Akt activity has been implicated in the control of alternative splicing in tumor cells, recent studies are emerging that indicate that similar functions may exist in CD4 T cells. In this mini review, we highlight some of the recent advances in these areas of Akt function that demonstrate the varied role that Akt plays in the function of CD4 T cells.
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Ivshina MP, van ‘t Spijker HM, Jung S, Ponny SR, Schafer DP, Richter JD. CPEB1 regulates the inflammatory immune response, phagocytosis, and alternative polyadenylation in microglia. Glia 2022; 70:1850-1863. [PMID: 35635122 PMCID: PMC9378487 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Microglia are myeloid cells of the central nervous system that perform tasks essential for brain development, neural circuit homeostasis, and neural disease. Microglia react to inflammatory stimuli by upregulating inflammatory signaling through several different immune cell receptors such as the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), which signals to several downstream effectors including transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1). Here, we show that TAK1 levels are regulated by CPEB1, a sequence-specific RNA binding protein that controls translation as well as RNA splicing and alternative poly(A) site selection in microglia. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binds the TLR4 receptor, which in CPEB1-deficient mice leads to elevated expression of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1), a microglial protein that increases with inflammation, and increased levels of the cytokine IL6. This LPS-induced IL6 response is blocked by inhibitors of JNK, p38, ERK, NFκB, and TAK1. In contrast, phagocytosis, which is elevated in CPEB1-deficient microglia, is unaffected by LPS treatment or ERK inhibition, but is blocked by TAK1 inhibition. These data indicate that CPEB1 regulates microglial inflammatory responses and phagocytosis. RNA-seq indicates that these changes in inflammation and phagocytosis are accompanied by changes in RNA levels, splicing, and alternative poly(A) site selection. Thus, CPEB1 regulation of RNA expression plays a role in microglial function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria P. Ivshina
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Heleen M van ‘t Spijker
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Suna Jung
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sithara Raju Ponny
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dorothy P. Schafer
- Department of Neurobiology, Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joel D. Richter
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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20
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Karginov TA, Ménoret A, Vella AT. Optimal CD8 + T cell effector function requires costimulation-induced RNA-binding proteins that reprogram the transcript isoform landscape. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3540. [PMID: 35725727 PMCID: PMC9209503 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31228-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Boosting T cell activation through costimulation directs defense against cancer and viral infections. Despite multiple studies targeting costimulation in clinical trials, the increased potency and reprogramming of T cells endowed by costimulation is poorly understood. Canonical dogma states that transcription mediates T cell activation. Here, we show that the spliceosome, controlling post-transcriptional alternative splicing and alternative polyadenylation, is the most enriched pathway in T cells after CD134/CD137 costimulation. Costimulation of CD8+ T cells significantly increases expression of 29 RNA-binding proteins while RNA-seq uncovers over 1000 differential alternative splicing and polyadenylation events. Using in vivo mouse and in vitro human models, we demonstrate that RNA-binding protein Tardbp is required for effector cytokine production, CD8+ T cell clonal expansion, and isoform regulation after costimulation. The prospect of immune response optimization through reprogramming of mRNA isoform production offered herein opens new avenues for experimentally and therapeutically tuning the activities of T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timofey A Karginov
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, UConn Health, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA
| | - Antoine Ménoret
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, UConn Health, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA
| | - Anthony T Vella
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, UConn Health, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA.
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21
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Inadvertent Transfer of Murine VL30 Retrotransposons to CAR-T Cells. ADVANCES IN CELL AND GENE THERAPY 2022; 2022. [PMID: 36081760 PMCID: PMC9450689 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6435077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
For more than a decade, genetically engineered autologous T-cells have been successfully employed as immunotherapy drugs for patients with incurable blood cancers. The active components in some of these game-changing medicines are autologous T-cells that express viral vector-delivered chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), which specifically target proteins that are preferentially expressed on cancer cells. Some of these therapeutic CAR expressing T-cells (CAR-Ts) are engineered via transduction with
-retroviral vectors (
-RVVs) produced in a stable producer cell line that was derived from murine PG13 packaging cells (ATCC CRL-10686). Earlier studies reported on the copackaging of murine virus-like 30S RNA (VL30) genomes with
-retroviral vectors generated in murine stable packaging cells. In an earlier study, VL30 mRNA was found to enhance the metastatic potential of human melanoma cells. These findings raise biosafety concerns regarding the possibility that therapeutic CAR-Ts have been inadvertently contaminated with potentially oncogenic VL30 retrotransposons. In this study, we demonstrated the presence of infectious VL30 particles in PG13 cell-conditioned media and observed the ability of these particles to deliver transcriptionally active VL30 genomes to human cells. Notably, VL30 genomes packaged by HIV-1-based vector particles transduced naïve human cells in culture. Furthermore, we detected the transfer and expression of VL30 genomes in clinical-grade CAR-T cells generated by transduction with PG13 cell-derived
-retroviral vectors. Our findings raise biosafety concerns regarding the use of murine packaging cell lines in ongoing clinical applications.
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22
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Cheng R, Xu Z, Luo M, Wang P, Cao H, Jin X, Zhou W, Xiao L, Jiang Q. Identification of alternative splicing-derived cancer neoantigens for mRNA vaccine development. Brief Bioinform 2022; 23:bbab553. [PMID: 35279714 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbab553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines have shown great potential for anti-tumor therapy due to the advantages in safety, efficacy and industrial production. However, it remains a challenge to identify suitable cancer neoantigens that can be targeted for mRNA vaccines. Abnormal alternative splicing occurs in a variety of tumors, which may result in the translation of abnormal transcripts into tumor-specific proteins. High-throughput technologies make it possible for systematic characterization of alternative splicing as a source of suitable target neoantigens for mRNA vaccine development. Here, we summarized difficulties and challenges for identifying alternative splicing-derived cancer neoantigens from RNA-seq data and proposed a conceptual framework for designing personalized mRNA vaccines based on alternative splicing-derived cancer neoantigens. In addition, several points were presented to spark further discussion toward improving the identification of alternative splicing-derived cancer neoantigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Cheng
- Harbin Institute of Technology, China
| | | | - Meng Luo
- Harbin Institute of Technology, China
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23
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Wu S, Liu S, Chen N, Zhang C, Zhang H, Guo X. Genome-Wide Identification of Immune-Related Alternative Splicing and Splicing Regulators Involved in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. Front Genet 2022; 13:816035. [PMID: 35251127 PMCID: PMC8892299 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.816035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanism of AAA formation is still poorly understood and has not been fully elucidated. The study was designed to identify the immune-related genes, immune-RAS in AAA using bioinformatics methods. The GSE175683 datasets were downloaded from the GEO database. The DEseq2 software was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). SUVA pipeline was used to quantify AS events and RAS events. KOBAS 2.0 server was used to identify GO terms and KEGG pathways to sort out functional categories of DEGs. The CIBERSORT algorithm was used with the default parameter for estimating immune cell fractions. Nine samples from GSE175683 were used to construct the co-disturbed network between expression of SFs and splicing ratio of RAS events. PCA analysis was performed by R package factoextra to show the clustering of samples, and the pheatmap package in R was used to perform the clustering based on Euclidean distance. The results showed that there were 3,541 genes significantly differentially expressed, of which 177 immune-related genes were upregulated and 48 immune-related genes were downregulated between the WT and WTA group. Immune-RAS events were mainly alt5P and IR events, and about 60% of it was complex splicing events in AAA. The WT group and the WTA group can be clearly distinguished in the first principal component by using the splicing ratio of immune-RAS events. Two downregulated genes, Nr4a1 and Nr4a2, and eight upregulated genes, Adipor2, Akt2, Bcl3, Dhx58, Pparg, Ptgds, Sytl1, and Vegfa were identified among the immune-related genes with RAS and DEGs. Eighteen differentially expressed SFs were identified and displayed by heatmap. The proportion of different types of cells and ratio of the average ratio of different cells were quite different. Both M1 and M2 types of macrophages and plasma cells were upregulated, while M0 type was downregulated in AAA. The proportion of plasma cells in the WTA group had sharply increased. There is a correlation between SF expression and immune cells/immune-RAS. Sf3b1, a splicing factor with significantly different expression, was selected to bind on a mass of immune-related genes. In conclusion, our results showed that immune-related genes, immune-RAS, and SFs by genome-wide identification were involved in AAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyong Wu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shibiao Liu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ningheng Chen
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chuang Zhang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hairong Zhang
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Hairong Zhang, ; Xueli Guo,
| | - Xueli Guo
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Hairong Zhang, ; Xueli Guo,
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24
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Blake D, Radens CM, Ferretti MB, Gazzara MR, Lynch KW. Alternative splicing of apoptosis genes promotes human T cell survival. eLife 2022; 11:80953. [PMID: 36264057 PMCID: PMC9625086 DOI: 10.7554/elife.80953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing occurs in the vast majority of human genes, giving rise to distinct mRNA and protein isoforms. We, and others, have previously identified hundreds of genes that change their isoform expression upon T cell activation via alternative splicing; however, how these changes link activation input with functional output remains largely unknown. Here, we investigate how costimulation of T cells through the CD28 receptor impacts alternative splicing in T cells activated through the T cell receptor (TCR, CD3) and find that while CD28 signaling alone has minimal impact on splicing, it enhances the extent of change for up to 20% of TCR-induced alternative splicing events. Interestingly, a set of CD28-enhanced splicing events occur within genes encoding key components of the apoptotic signaling pathway; namely caspase-9, Bax, and Bim. Using both CRISPR-edited cells and antisense oligos to force expression of specific isoforms, we show for all three of these genes that the isoform induced by CD3/CD28 costimulation promotes resistance to apoptosis, and that changes in all three genes together function combinatorially to further promote cell viability. Finally, we show that the JNK signaling pathway, induced downstream of CD3/CD28 costimulation, is required for each of these splicing events, further highlighting their co-regulation. Together, these findings demonstrate that alternative splicing is a key mechanism by which costimulation of CD28 promotes viability of activated T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davia Blake
- Immunology Graduate Group, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Caleb M Radens
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Max B Ferretti
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Matthew R Gazzara
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States,Department of Genetics, University of PennsylvaniaPhildelphiaUnited States
| | - Kristen W Lynch
- Immunology Graduate Group, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
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25
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Pua H, Ansel KM. RNA regulation in immunity. Immunol Rev 2021; 304:5-9. [PMID: 34816450 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Heather Pua
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, and Vanderbilt Institute of Infection, Immunology and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - K Mark Ansel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sandler Asthma Basic Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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